Tuesday 11th April 2023
Round One of the Ginetta Junior Championship was completed at Oulton Park on Saturday 8th & Monday 10th April, during the Easter weekend. This championship is now a support series to the SRO British GT Championship after moving over from the TOCA BTCC paddock at the end of 2022.
Alisha had very positive pace during the preceding Thursday and Friday test days, topping the times during several sessions.
SATURDAY 8th APRIL:
Qualifying:
Race 1 = P4
Race 2 = P5
Race 1: P4 - DNF
The first race of the weekend got off to a great start with Alisha making up a position off the line moving into third position. Alisha showed great pace and initially worked well with her team mates and then moved up to 2nd place as her team mate ahead went wide. Over the coming laps, there were lots of position changes, with Alisha moving up and down the order within the leading pack. However, Alisha's race was unfortunately cut short after a big off at Druids. As a result, Alisha suffered with an injured left thumb due to the impact and was assessed by the medical team on site who provided first class support and assistance.
This race can be viewed at the following link:
Elite Motorsport then worked incredibly hard to fix the car ready for Race 2 & 3 that followed on Monday. Alisha also received a large number of messages and people asking after her which was extremely appreciated!
MONDAY 10th APRIL:
Race 2: P5 - P3
Alisha went on to have a strong race 2, achieving her first podium of the year in 3rd after starting 5th on the grid with another great start, taking two cars off the line, with the top three finishing less than a second apart!
This race can be viewed at the following link:
Race 3: P3 - P9
This race turned out to be bitter sweet. After an amazing start where Alisha went from the second row in 3rd to 1st into turn one, after being squeezed against the pitwall, there was immediately a safety car due to a number of incidents behind. On the re-start Alisha got overtaken along the main straight from the tow and then held 2nd for the entirety of the race with a lot of pressure from behind. However, on the final lap, an incorrect gear choice as the rain came down led to her breaking traction as she upshifted and reached the chequered flag in 9th as a result.
This race can be viewed at the following link:
Alisha didn't get some of the results she wanted or deserved, but she certainly showed she has the pace to run right at the front during 2023 and will come back stronger for the next round.
A huge thank you to Elite Motorsport, Rhys Simpson, Chris & Stefan Hodgetts and Adam Smalley for all the hard work and support throughout the weekend!
Opmerkingen